Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
Alcuin started the game brightly, retaining possession well and creating some neat link-up play in the midfield. Several half chances were created in the opening few minutes and the breakthrough came after Tom Stratton found himself in the box, receiving the ball with his back to goal. The former Alcuin JCRC Chair produced a strong snapshot on the turn with his unfavoured foot, scraping the ball past the Goodricke ‘keeper at the near post.
Upon the restart, Goodricke looked to settle down and get back into the game. But after a wasted chance at one end, Alcuin broke quickly down the right-hand side. Always dangerous on the break, the team in red capitalised as striker Ed Murrills found himself free in the box, slotting the ball neatly into the bottom left corner of the net.
Goodricke never let their heads drop and looked to find a way back into the game. They created several chances through a complacent Alcuin defence and a long throw just before the end of the first half resulted in a goalmouth scramble. Taking advantage of a poor Alcuin defending, the Goodricke strikers managed to squeeze the ball in off the post past the flailing Alcuin goalkeeper.
At the beginning of the second half and with a foothold back in the game, Goodricke pushed further forward, looking for the all-important equaliser. The pressure that the greens had been putting on the favourites soon paid off, as after 10 minutes Goodricke broke down their left hand side. The central midfield worked the ball out to the wing and an early cross caught the Alcuin defence out of shape, resulting in a clinical header from the Goodricke striker that tied the game at two apiece.
The rest of the game threw up few chances and as the referee blew the final whistle both teams prepared to face the dreaded lottery of penalties. Alcuin captain Henry Smith scored the first penalty, but Goodricke pulled theirs wide, giving Alcuin an early advantage. But the situation was soon reversed, as Alcuin missed the next two penalties and Goodricke scored theirs. The greens looked set to progress to the next round with just one more penalty needed to secure their place, but a poor penalty that was skewed wide allowed Alcuin back in.
It took three rounds of sudden death to decide the winner, but it was the reds who went through as the Goodricke left-back sent the ball high and wide of the goal. It was a brave performance from Goodricke, cruelly losing on penalties, and a far from convincing win for Alcuin, who go on to face Halifax 2nds in Thursday’s semi-final contest.
By Ben Matthews.
